Mako Core SDK achieves Ghent Workgroup accreditation

Global Graphics Software has achieved accreditation from the Ghent Workgroup for both its Jaws renderer and newly launched Apex renderer within its Mako Core SDK, confirming that both technologies meet rigorous standards for quality, reliability and compliance in PDF workflows.

The Cambridge-based company, which operates as Hybrid Software's OEM business unit, received the certification based on the Ghent PDF Output Suite 5.0 test files that assess conformity with the PDF/X-4 standard. The accreditation enables users to streamline workflows, reduce errors and improve efficiency across prepress operations.

Apex represents a breakthrough in rendering technology, operating entirely on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to deliver high-quality results on screen or in web browsers at high speed. The renderer excels at processing large, complex PDFs and can quickly inspect layout, colors, fonts, layers and other elements before printing.

'We're delighted that Mako's Jaws and Apex renderers have gained Ghent Workgroup accreditation,' said David Stevenson, product manager for Mako Core. 'The Ghent Workgroup files present a challenge to any renderer to get them right. We can now demonstrate that both Jaws and Apex have been independently validated to be robust and compliant.'

The Apex renderer operates as the first fully GPU-native Page Description Language renderer to handle the entire rendering workload on the GPU, freeing the central processing unit used by Mako's Jaws renderer for other tasks such as imposition.

The Ghent Workgroup accreditation utilized test files that thoroughly evaluate PDF/X-4 workflow conformity, identifying potential issues regarding color management, transparency handling, output accuracy and other aspects of PDF/X-4 compliance according to ISO 15930-7:2010 standards.

Mako Core SDK provides developers with comprehensive access to document components including fonts, images, vector graphics, metadata and layers, making it suitable for managed print services, document automation and custom workflow applications. The platform supports major operating systems including Windows, macOS and Linux distributions.